Active Release Technique (ART)

Active Release Technique (ART) is an amazingly effective, patented, state-of-the-art system created to treat a large variety of problems that lead to ongoing pain. Despite being a tried and true method, it’s important to note that results depend on the skill and experience of the provider. Dr. Joe Kwait is an expert, with the highest level of ART certification and years of experience utilizing this method with athletes and clients in Marin County.

Kwait Chiropractic offers ART, often in combination with other complimentary methods, to provide comprehensive chiropractic care that leads to maximum results in a minimum timeframe.

ART: What it Is and What it Treats

ART is a non-surgical, hands on treatment of soft tissue used to diagnose and treat many physical conditions created by overuse or injury that lead to pain and limited bodily functioning.

When muscles are overused, scar tissue builds up that restricts movement, traps nerves and blood vessels, and leads to pain. ART restores optimal texture, motion and function of the soft tissue, releasing any entrapped blood vessels or nerves by first placing a contact point near the lesion causing the pain. Then, under the direction and with the support of Dr. Kwait, the patient is asked to move in a manner that produces longitudinal sliding motions of the soft tissues (including nerves, ligaments, tendons, fascia and muscles,) just below the contact point. Symptoms produced by the lesions become alleviated in just a few sessions and many find permanent pain relief using Active Release Techniques.

ART has been proven very effective at treating many conditions, such as:

headaches

back pain

carpal tunnel syndrome

frozen shoulder

shin splints

tennis elbow

shoulder pain

sciatica

tendinitis

plantar fasciitis

knee problems

temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ)

whiplash

problems attributed to muscle overuse

Dr. Kwait’s experience and skill allow him to quickly evaluate the texture, tightness, movement and function of each of his patient’s tissues, allowing him to target the source of the problem. The areas that are discovered to be abnormal are then gently manipulated by stretching and sliding movements, releasing points of tension and increasing movement of the tissues by removing or breaking down the adhesions. ART often includes movements where the patient is asked to move a specific body part while pressure is applied to identified problem spots. This pressure combined with patient movement produces relief that can be felt as soon as within two weeks and often leads to permanent correction.

How Adhesions Develop:

Adhesions develop in 3 main ways:

acute injury in which trauma to the body has occurred

overuse due to repetitive motion, and/or

constant pressure or tension for extended periods of time (such as standing or sitting in bad posture.)

An adhesion develops over time. In the first 24-72 hours following an injury, there is inflammation of the soft tissue. This then turns into stringy muscle lesions which, after a few months, cause the tissues to become more leathery and adhesions to be palpable.

Once adhesions develop, they restrict blood flow which causes the muscles around the area to shorten, decreasing the body’s overall ability to function properly. This leads to pain, weakness and sometimes numbness, especially if the adhesion is putting pressure on a nerve.

ART Provides Fast & Enduring Relief

Kwait Chiropractic in Marin can apply ART to address and prevent chronic problems and to provide complete and enduring recovery in a short amount of time. ART is one of the most effective and efficient ways in helping patients get back to their active lives, doing what they love.

I am an avid CrossFitter and a competitive Olympic Weightlifter so needless to say, there is always something ailing me. I visit Dr Kwait often and each time I get the same treatment which goes like this:

1— I call and make an appointment and am usually able to be seen within 24 hours, if not …

I had a neck injury and was recommended to see Dr. Kwait. I can’t speak highly enough about him. He was very thorough in looking at my problem and worked in a careful manner to get my mobility back. He is a very caring doctor. He checked in with me during the intense time to …

Colm G.—San Anselmo, CA

Joe is excellent – as the 5 star rating means – “as good as it gets”. I came in to see Joe and he listened attentively really understanding what my issues were. He turned my lower back issues right around. He is very skilled, but also very personable. I would and do recommend him to …

Dan C.—San Francisco, CA

I was referred to Dr. Kwait by a friend. I injured my shoulder and back and was in a ton of pain. He was amazing and gave great advice and the pain subsided. Dr. Kwait spent a ton of time finding the cause of the pain/injury.

5 stars to Dr Kwait: A friend recommended him to me and truthfully, I was really hesitant, as in the past, I had always seen PTs, not chiropractors. But, Dr Kwait was exceptional and I was truly amazed by how quickly he dealt with my numerous injuries. Much of his success comes from his diverse …